Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Real THANKS

Thanksgiving time once again. How many of us take the time to actually be thankful for all that we have? This world leaves little if any time for any kind of introspection...and we all need some of it, now and then. We tend to get a bit wrapped up in our lives, and so many get all wrapped up in what they don't have, totally forgetting to be thankful for all that they do.

Regardless of the problems our country is going through now, this is still the one and only place I want to be. Our country is the only free place on earth...and I am reminded more and more how absolutely awesome the ability to be free actually is. I am totally thankful for that.

Obviously, I am thankful to my toes for my kids.They give me laughter, tears, fear and hope. I see myself so many years ago in each of them. I see the opportunity for them to grow right there, on the top. I see the wheels of maturity turning in each of them, some resisting, some accepting, all of them learning. How grateful I am for each of you. Without you, I would be nothing. Regardless of what you all are going through, you all are getting it. I am so grateful and proud. So proud.

I am grateful for the shred of health I have left. No one knows more than I what a fleeting thing this can be, yet so many of us take it oh-so-much-for-granted, until it's too late. The mere fact that I can get out of bed each morning is a minor miracle that I enjoy daily. Knocking myself out at the gym? Impossible, or at least it should be. This is grateful with a capital G, folks.

I am grateful for my job. I love it, I can do it with ease, and even the stressful days that come along frequently, wouldn't be traded. The people that I work for and with have turned out to be the best people ever...I often forget that real friendships are forged with time.

I am grateful for Mark. He has become the best friend I always wanted. He likes me in spite of myself, sometimes. I can't imagine my life without him in it, in some way. I also am aware that the day will come when the friendship that we have will be replaced by someone else that could never understand, so I am ready to take the back burner when that time arrives, with understanding and love. Until that day, I am grateful.

I am grateful for my kitties. They are my solace in a big, bad world, sometimes. They love me, they wait for me, they cry for me when I am gone. No matter how bad I look or how crippled I am, they expect nothing more from me than love. (and food, and treats and gushy food at four am, and playing with the long furry thing on the stick at midnight...) They are happy to see me when I return, whether it's been an hour or twelve. I need them as much as they need me, and I am so grateful that these two found their way into my life.

I am grateful for sisters, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, extended family, the girlfriends of my sons, my daughters husband, (all of which feel like my own kids), my wonderful blogging friends that often can tell that I need them across the "real" world. I am grateful and happy and spoiled by all these things.

Lastly, I am grateful for the two beautiful boys that are my grandsons. They are the joy in my heart, the smile on my face. They give me hope and love and complete awe when I look at them. God has been so very good to me. Happy Thanksgiving. :)

4 comments:

Jules said...

Love this post Jamie. Now, more than ever, we all need to take the time to stop and offer up gratitude for all that we have.

Hope you're having a wonderful visit with family. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Cheryl said...

That was beautiful Jamie.

Your life has changed so much since I first met you. Your attitude on life has taken a 360 turn. Your attitude on life is a joy to hear. You're plowing through the bad and grabbing onto the good. You go girl.

I'm thankful for much, and so thankful I know you. *Gush*

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

You are one remarkable Woman, J!

Happy thanksgiving and for thx that I met you. :P)

E

Lena said...

Wonderful post! So much to be grateful for! How lucky you are!!

Hope your day was just great!